[As Ai's gentle hand skates along his hair, the fragile wall of glass that's protected Aqua's heart all this time shatters. His fingers twitch on her arms; a bright sheen of wet spills over his eyes like a curtain before he has time to duck. She's too close for Aqua to hide from, as larger-than-life before his eyes as she's always been.
Still, he tries, dropping his chin as he pulls in the soft, choked, unmistakable breath of a young man beginning to cry.
He can't hold it. He's never been as strong as Ruby, or Kana, or Ai herself, able to smile more blindingly than the spotlights beaming down on them. Aqua bends beneath the weight until his face meets Ai's shoulder, where his tears and shaking can only be felt, not seen. The words that should absolve him break and wash over him like ocean spray. His own noises are helpless and small.]
I have to. I have to.
[Why was he even born, if not to safeguard Hoshino Ai's happy family?]
I... Because I...
['Oh... I finally said it. I'm sorry. It took me way too long.'
Aqua's breath catches and stutters. The tears continue to pour out of him, as hot and vital as blood.
Ai isn't the only one who's never spoken those words.]
no subject
Still, he tries, dropping his chin as he pulls in the soft, choked, unmistakable breath of a young man beginning to cry.
He can't hold it. He's never been as strong as Ruby, or Kana, or Ai herself, able to smile more blindingly than the spotlights beaming down on them. Aqua bends beneath the weight until his face meets Ai's shoulder, where his tears and shaking can only be felt, not seen. The words that should absolve him break and wash over him like ocean spray. His own noises are helpless and small.]
I have to. I have to.
[Why was he even born, if not to safeguard Hoshino Ai's happy family?]
I... Because I...
['Oh... I finally said it. I'm sorry. It took me way too long.'
Aqua's breath catches and stutters. The tears continue to pour out of him, as hot and vital as blood.
Ai isn't the only one who's never spoken those words.]